Council denies Paul Muscat's allegations

Cospicua local council yesterday replied to a judicial protest filed by former mayor Paul Muscat against it, the justice minister and auditor Joseph Gauci.

The council denied Muscat's allegations that any elected councillor had ever approved any abusive, irregular or illegal actions.

The council also denied Muscat's allegations that Joseph Gauci, on behalf of auditors Alliot Gauci and Co. had only consulted with mayor Joseph Scerri but said he had spoken to the deputy mayor, the executive secretary and the assistant secretary.

Muscat's allegation that Joseph Scerri had conducted a campaign against him was also unfounded.

The council acknowledged that the report was a draft but the mayor and secretary were obliged by law to inform the minister for local councils within 24 hours of discovering abusive behaviour.

The council denied that its finances had been fully approved by Dr Anthony Cassar of the National Audit Office.

On the contrary, Dr Cassar had concluded that the finances were not in conformity with the financial regulations governing local councils.

The council also denied that mayor Joseph Scerri had taken the personal initiative to engage someone to draw up a report on the financial situation of the local council.

The report was commissioned by the auditors after a decision taken collectively by the council, which had selected the most advantageous quotation from the three it had received.

In conclusion it rebutted all Muscat's allegations and held him liable in damages.

Dr Michael Tanti Dougall and Dr Pierre Lofaro signed the reply.